Questions about Implant Dentistry
Barrie, Ontario - Canada
What are the advantages of dental implants?
Dental implants have several advantages over other methods for tooth replacement, such as dental bridges or dentures, such as they are:
- Permanent: They are not removable and will actually fuse with your jaw bone.
- Comfortable: They will not move or slip in your mouth so you can eat and speak with confidence.
- Strong and durable: You can expect your dental implant to last a lifetime. The porcelain tooth can also last many years with proper dental hygiene, regular dental check-ups and avoidance of bad habits like biting hard substances or tooth grinding.
- Stand-alone: They do not require adjacent teeth for support, so your healthy teeth are left alone.
- Attractive: They look and function like your real teeth.
Is the entire dental implant procedure performed in the office?
Yes. Cosmetic dentist Dr. Adam Chapnick performs all of the steps of the dental implant procedure himself, from surgically inserting the dental implant to attaching your new porcelain tooth. The artificial tooth itself will be custom made in an outside dental laboratory to fit your exact specifications.
If it is necessary for you to receive a computerized tomography (CT) scan prior to the procedure to better analyze your jawbone structure, he will refer you to an outside facility.
How long does the dental implant process take?
Because dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss, you should expect to invest several months to complete this process. Once Dr. Chapnick has determined you are a good candidate for dental implants, he will begin the surgical portion of the process by inserting the titanium screw into your jawbone. It is necessary to allow sufficient time for this dental implant to properly fuse with your healthy jawbone so it can become a stable artificial tooth root. This may take 3-6 months, depending on how fast you heal.
The second part of the dental implant process is to attach an abutment or post to the top of the implant so your porcelain tooth can be added. Dr. Chapnick will reopen your gum in order to do this step. Again, it will be necessary for you to heal from this process before he places your new porcelain tooth into the empty space in your smile.
Every patient will respond differently to the different "healing" phases of this procedure. Dr. Chapnick can try to estimate how long the entire process will take for you during your dental implant consultation.
Why do I hear about bone grafting in conjunction with dental implants?
You must have sufficient jawbone to support dental implants. If your jawbone has deteriorated, it may be necessary to build up or strengthen the jawbone in a bone grafting procedure before the dental implant can be placed. Transplanted bone is inserted into the jawbone and allowed to fully grow and heal. This process can add weeks or months to the process depending on the material used and your particular needs.
How can I know if I am a candidate for dental implants?
Dr. Chapnick can assess your dental condition to determine if dental implants would help improve your smile. He will fully explain all of your options as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each type of tooth replacement procedure. The first step is to arrange a dental implant consultation.
To schedule a dental implant assessment with cosmetic dentist Dr. Adam Chapnick in Barrie, please contact his dental team at Molson Park Dental Office today.
